Visit Able Trade for beer, bites, and local talent.

Join them for October's First Friday gallery night, featuring UT Knoxville Furniture Design students to show their fall semester work titled Books & Boxes.

A one-night exhibition featuring student work from the first two projects of the College of Architecture and Design Furniture Course, Joinery Studies. Laptops were swapped with Coptic-bound sketchbooks, each cover milled from solid lumber, showcasing the beauty of different wood species. Special objects were given a secure space within a container inspired by the humble yet refined Japanese toolbox. Join them in celebrating the education of woodworking and swing by the Able Trade Brew Lab to have a taste of their October Fest Beer brewed as a demo during September’s First Friday event.

5:30 PM—8:30 PM.

Addison's bookstore will be open for special extended hours First Friday!

6—9 PM.

The Fall Instructors Exhibition features work by select instructors teaching national workshops at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts during October or November, including Andrea Vail, Eliza Au, Francesca Vitali, Kevin Kao, Orlando Corona and Wansoo Kim. Exploring a range of two and three-dimensional processes, these six artists engage in themes spanning history, culture, identity, and the everyday. The exhibition will open First Friday and be on view from through November 1, 2025.

For 80 years, Arrowmont has been teaching a variety of arts and craft workshops to the public, hosting over 200 creative experiences each year. For more information on workshops, visit their website and discover your next artistic pursuit!

5 PM—9 PM.

This month's featured artist isPatricia Herzog, Clay.

Patricia Herzog has been working as a studio potter since graduating from the University of Tennessee in 1978 with a Master of Science Degree in Ceramics. Her recent hand built functional work reflects her passion for color, texture, animal imagery, and universal patterns in nature. She uses a white stoneware that is fired in an electric kiln to approximately 2200 degrees. She is a long time member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild and a founding member of Terra Madre, Women in Clay.

Explore the marketplace of more than 60 juried-in East TN artists.

5:30 PM—9 PM.

Get ready to dance with music from DJ Andres Tapia.

10 PM.

Visit Bethie Lou’s Fabulous Gift Store at their new location at 108 E Jackson Ave, Ste 1! Home of the Mermen, fun, laughter, and fabulous gifts. All 25 Mermen will be on display! Extended First Friday hours.

Open until 9 PM.

Enjoy jazz with Sam Adams Trio. Great spot for dinner and cocktails.

8 PM—10:30 PM.

Enjoy music from Cullen Kehoe and the Can't Understanding (21+).

9 PM.

Casa HoLa invites you to the debut of "Down From the Mountain" by painter Daniel Wornicov. The exhibit debuts on First Friday and will remain on display through the whole month of October

5 PM—9 PM.

Original oils by Robin Rohwer and photography by Christopher Rohwer. The husband and wife artist duo is excited for fall with lots of new work to share!

In studio until 9 PM.

Enjoy live music featuring Travis Bigwood & Aubrey Mullins from 7—9 PM! And don't miss new work in the Curio by Melissa Everett, Ashton Ludden, and Annie Rochelle.

5 PM—9 PM.

Join Dogwood Arts for the Opening Reception of 'Sleep Cycle', a solo exhibition by Lauren Adams. On view through October 17th, this exhibition explores the landscapes of sleep and the subconscious dream realm.

4 PM—8 PM.

The Arts & Culture Alliance presents "The Art Salon": a showcase by AIA East Tennessee
Hosted by the American Institute of Architects – East Tennessee Chapter, the Art Salon is a vibrant showcase of creativity that reaches far beyond the built environment. This annual exhibition celebrates the original works of architects, designers, students, emerging professionals, and allied collaborators throughout East Tennessee. Here, the region’s most inventive minds reveal another side of their talents: woven textiles, hand-thrown ceramics, expressive oil paintings, and custom-crafted musical instruments. The Art Salon is a rare opportunity to see how those who shape our spaces also shape culture, ideas, and artistry in unexpected forms.

The Arts & Culture Alliance presents Hannah Hancock: "Memory Piecing"
"Memory Piecing is the title of a series of works focused on exploring traditional barn quilt painting and other quilt inspired pieces based around personal memories and life events — an ode to the arts and crafts that have shaped my personal aesthetics and visual understanding of the world having grown up in east Tennessee. Some works are bright color stories of fond memories, homages to the characters and media that have inspired me and some to individuals that have made lasting impressions on my life, whether they are still here or gone. Pieced together much like a piece of fabric, each work is a visual representation of the pieces of life that have made me."

The Arts & Culture Alliance presents Nhora Ortiz: "Brushstrokes of Freedom"
Nhora Ortiz was born in Buga, Colombia, and raised in Venezuela, where she developed a deep connection to culture, language, and community. A graduate of Jose Maria Vargas University with specialization at the Estudios Sancho Institute, she is the creator of The Ornament Project, inspired by the languages of indigenous communities in the Amazonas. Her work has been recognized internationally for its humanitarian values and exhibited in Venezuela, the United States, Bolivia, Colombia, Italy, South Korea, and India. She currently lives and works in Gatlinburg, continuing to explore color as a language of freedom and human connection.

The Arts & Culture Alliance presents "Noteworthy" by Hanna Seggerman
Noteworthy is a new body of work exploring how light and shadow can be a means to further understand experiences of grief and the ephemerality of life. Artworks noting quick glimmers, micro moments of joy, observed in paused moments of everyday life. Grounded in an investigation of a personal collection of images that pay attention to the shadows created when sunlight passes through foliage. Moments of temporary darkness created only because of light. This collection of works on paper and fabric address both light and shadow simultaneously through a variety of media and techniques. Shadow often represented through India ink and graphite. Light existing within the negative spaces of each composition and piercing through the darkness as free motion embroidered metallic thread.

5 PM—9 PM.

Start your ArtWalk in the Old City at the Old City's First Friday Block Party! Bring your friends, explore local businesses, and kick off your weekend with us in the Old City!

5–9 PM.

Gallery 1010 is the only fully student-run, non-profit, off-campus UTK exhibition space in the state of Tennessee. Gallery 1010 provides a location for School of Art artists to exhibit their work, curate exhibitions, and collaborate with other artists or disciplines outside of the School of Art.

Join the opening reception for "Personal Spaces", A Portfolio Exchange Curated by Shannon Ferguson & Lucja Bankowska.

5 PM—7 PM.

Underground @ Mirage featuring house music from Selek Kae and Yusef Terry. With Kevin Nowell, Chris Marc, Christian Ferrer, and Earl Grae. Featuring live percussion from "Legend" Cory Hodge. Enjoy house music all night long at this FREE event. (ID required.)

6 PM—1:00 AM.

Grab your gear, your friends, and your passport to experience our downtown! Meet some of East Tennessee’s most interesting amphibian residents in the form of little bronze sculptures!

Grab a passport at Mast General Store, Visit Knoxville, or download a digital version at knoxnewts.com. Study the clues, and find all 12 bronze newts hidden amid our downtown landmarks.

This permanent, self-guided scavenger hunt is free to play and open 24/7, year round. Happy hunting!

Lisa Soland's new one-person play, "PAT," tells the inspirational story of legendary basketball coach Pat Summitt. The play follows her journey from her childhood days on the farm in Henrietta, to her coaching career at the University of Tennessee, highlighting the inner workings that drove her success. Soland’s powerful narrative captures Summitt's sincerity and intense competitiveness, which demanded hard work and accountability. We witness how Pat empowers her players to take ownership while holding them to a standard as high as her own. The play is rich with themes of hard work, discipline, and self-respect.

The play opens on First Friday, and runs through October 23; Thursday through Saturdays at 7:30 pm. Sundays at 2:30 pm. Tickets available here.

7:30 PM.

For over 22 years, the Pilot Light has been the go-to for independent and experimental music. On Friday, hear performances by Bases2003 with My Wife's an Engel and Wife. Tickets at door.

8 PM.

Music from Gramphix with Corey James Clifton. Tickets at door.

8 PM.

Hot shop Glassblowing Demonstrations at nationally known Pretentious. Don’t miss this.

5 PM—9 PM.

RALA always has the best greeting cards, puzzles, and gifts for every occasion, and Halloween is no exception. Swing by their store in the Old City for Spooktacular Merch, along with their "Haunted Art Show"—a collaborative exhibition of creepy, eerie, spine-tingling, and all around haunted art pieces from multiple local artists, on exhibit (and for sale) through October 30.

6 PM—9 PM.

Meet at RALA for the first ever First Friday Ghost Walk, led by Esther Sitver. Dress as a ghost and wander the First Friday ArtWalk galleries together and return to RALA at 7 PM to see the Haunted Art Show!

6 PM—7 PM.

Join RED Gallery for the opening of "Temporal Glitch," a collection of new work by Risa Hricovsky.

5 PM—8 PM.

Music by Stacked Actors (Foo Fighters Tribute).

8 PM. 

Stop in Studio 106 Art Gallery. Located on the lower level of the Emporium Center inside suite 106, the gallery will offer specials and discounts for First Friday!

11 AM—9 PM.

Locals can enjoy Free Admission to the Sunsphere from 10-6 PM. Must show a valid Knox County Drivers License!

In this new series, "Peace in Nature, a tribute to Tremont,” see a collaboration of photographer Tony Long’s large format photographs and Deana Fulton & Maci Fulton’s modern and graphic paintings inspired by the beauty and calmness of the Great Smoky Mountains.

These images of nature are filled with calming colors, shapes and textures found in the Tremont area and are translated to art in the form of photography and paintings. The peace and healing of the Tremont area was shared with each of the artists, and they desired to share the essence of this calm place with their guests, friends, and family in the form of their artistic creations.

Join them at The Phoenix Building / Gallery as they share their collection of originals representing their beautiful experiences at Tremont. Works will be available for purchase.

5—8 PM.

Union Ave Books is excited to present a Poetry Night in celebration of First Fridays, featuring Jessica Freeman, Tyler Smith, Karen Babine, and Mary Ardery. Both Karen Babine and Mary Ardery have new books that we're celebrating! RSVP for this FREE event by visiting unionavebooks.com/events.

6 PM—8 PM.

Join the UT Downtown Gallery for Dirty Ones - The People of Gaduhvi-Tsu'Ni'Ga'Da'H.

This exhibition, curated by Rhiannon Skye Tafoya, features works by Cherokee artists, Jakeli Swimmer, Keli Gonzales, and Michelle Long. This exhibition is in conjunction with Tafoya's solo exhibition at the Ewing Gallery of Art + Architecture on the UT Campus

5 PM—9 PM.

The musical guest for First Friday Live will be The Rectangle Shades.

6 PM—7 PM.